On 20 July, more than 100 Buddhists as well as secular groups came together at the Sri Jayanti temple in Malaysia to mourn the untimely end of flight MH17. Evening prayers are being held daily at the temple, located in Jalan Sentul, for two weeks.
Buddhists and members of the public came for a memorial at the Sri Jayanti temple at Jalan Sentul on 20 July to mourn those who perished in Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
Photo by Jamie Koh, Straits Times
Such diverse gatherings are happening in about 300 temples and Buddhist organizations all across the country, with representatives from the Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Daoist and Hindu traditions joining the Buddhists to lead the prayers. The Rakyat Post also reported on a multi-faith gathering in the Malaysian Airlines Academy Auditorium, on 25 July. “Today, we remember the living, the families, the wives, the husbands, the brothers, the sisters, the friends, all of whom have gone before us in this tragedy,” said Father Simons Lebroy, who conducted the Christian prayers, in his address to the crowd.
A monk tends to the altar commemorating the deceased of MH17. Photo by Jamie Koh, Straits Times
People around the world were shocked when yet another Malaysia Airlines flight met its end, this time in Ukrainian airspace, after an unidentified missile struck the passenger plane. The BBC shows pictures of people in The Netherlands observing a national day of mourning. 298 lives were lost in the tragedy.
After the loss and unresolved disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 over the Indian Ocean, both the airline and Malaysian officials have once again come under intense scrutiny and pressure. A conclusion as to why the plane was intentionally, or mistakenly, struck down is yet to be announced.
Venerable Sri Saranankara, a senior Buddhist monk attending the ceremony at the Sri Jayanti temple, told the Straits Times that the two Malaysia Airlines crashes have affected him personally. He recalled how for the past 12 years, some of the airline staff have regularly volunteered at the temple’s various charity programs. “When we have a major function, the Malaysian crew will come with 30 to 40 volunteers every time,” he said.
Such gatherings encourage the participation of others, at both the local and international levels. As the world mourns the tragic loss of MH17’s passengers and crew, a prayer is recited in every religion to offer a little comfort and solace to the deceased’s family and friends. Let us hope that the future does not hold any more such tragedies.